Centenary insight: our future

Foundational and future aspirations: considering the ongoing impact of the regenerative creative ethos embedded in The Royal Ballet School

Info: Dr Anna Meadmore considers the enduring strengths and possible fault lines in Ninette de Valois’ founding vision for her School – in relation to the teaching of choreography as a composite theatrical form, fostering versatility, and creating a modern ballet repertoire.

Info: Iain Mackay, former graduate of the School, Principal of Birmingham Royal Ballet, and our Artistic Director since 2024, introduces and discusses the School’s unique Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme. Illustrated by practical student demonstrations and performances of their own work.

Info: Dr Adesola Akinleye, dance artist, choreographer, and the editor of the seminal volume (Re:) Claiming Ballet (2021), presents a performance of Excerpts from ‘Sycorax’s Tempest’, a duet, trio and quartet especially created for Upper School students. She considers how the physical language of ballet can be experienced as a creative act of translation between diverse legacies, histories and cultures.

Info: Sarah Crompton, the dance and theatre critic, journalist and writer, hosts a panel including School staff, alumni, and current members of The Royal Ballet. The discussion will range across the century-long arc of the three days of insight events, but focuses on the future relevance of ballet to theatre and wider culture.

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